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Biodegradable materials from plasticized PHB biomass
Author(s) -
Bibers Ivars,
Tupureina Velta,
Dzene Anda,
Savenkova Ludmila,
Kalnins Martins
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/1521-3900(200106)170:1<61::aid-masy61>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - plasticizer , biodegradation , peg ratio , polyethylene glycol , biomass (ecology) , elongation , materials science , chemical engineering , chemistry , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , organic chemistry , agronomy , finance , economics , biology , engineering
Biodegradation rate in different environments as well as deformation characteristics of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB), PHB biomass and of plasticized systems thereof have been investigated. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and oxypropylated glycerine or laprol (LAP) were selected as plasticizers. Increase of the content of plasticizer from 5 to 50% gave rise of the elongation at break from 4 to 25% for LAP and from 2 to 9% for PEG, respectively. No significant changes of strength were recorded. It remained comparatively small ‐ around 2.5 MPa. PHB, biomass and the PHB composition containing 10% PEG completely decomposed in soil during 30 days. PHB containing 33% of biologically stable LAP additives lost half of its mass at the same period. Structural changes of plasticized biomass are also shown.